Preparing the loader

Airman 1st Class Manuel Rivera Matos, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron pavement and construction journeyman, prepares the loader by switching out attachments Mar. 15, 2017, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. The 92nd CES pavement and construction Airmen and civilians, often referred to as “Dirt Boyz,” were recently named the winners of the American Association of Airport Executives’ Balchen/Post Award for their outstanding performance in snow removal during the 2016 season. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mackenzie Richardson)

Inside the loader

Airman 1st Class Manuel Rivera Matos, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron pavement and construction journeyman, uses the loader to pick up dirt Mar. 15, 2017, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. The 92nd CES pavement and construction Airmen and civilians are often referred to as “Dirt Boyz” for their constant interaction with more than 100 pieces of filthy heavy construction equipment and hand tools used to repair Fairchild’s roads, airfield, fences and drainage systems. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mackenzie Richardson)

Loading dirt

The 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron pavement and construction shop uses a loader to load a dump truck with dirt Mar. 15, 2017, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. The loader and dump truck are two of more than 100 different pieces of machinery utilized by the shop. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mackenzie Richardson)

Dirt

Airman 1st Class Manuel Rivera Matos and Staff Sgt. Steven Lowe, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron pavement and construction technicians, use the loader and dump truck to move dirt Mar. 15, 2017, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. The 92nd CES pavement and construction Airmen and civilians are often referred to as “Dirt Boyz” for their constant interaction with more than 100 pieces of filthy heavy construction equipment and hand tools used to repair Fairchild’s roads, airfield, fences and drainage systems. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mackenzie Richardson)

“Dirt Boyz” get dirty

Published March 23, 2017
By Senior Airman Mackenzie Richardson
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The snow slams the windshield as the broom weaves back and forth across the Fairchild airfield. The 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron pavement and construction Airmen are no strangers to late night phone calls, dirt under their fingernails and the unpredictable intense weather that comes with living in the Pacific Northwest.

They’re often referred to as “Dirt Boyz” for their constant interaction with more than 100 pieces of dirty, heavy construction equipment and hand tools used to repair Fairchild’s roads, airfield, fences and drainage systems.

“Our job requires that we remain proficient at operating numerous pieces of heavy machinery, showing versatility on jobsites and maintaining a vigilant eye over airfield conditions,” said Staff Sgt. Steven Lowe, 92nd CES pavement and construction equipment craftsman.

The Snow Barn is the building the “Dirt Boyz” operate out of and it stakes claim to nearly every piece of heavy equipment they use. It’s not unusual to show up to a project and find five or more different pieces of heavy equipment and countless hand tools on site, Lowe said.

The shop is coming off one of the worst winters Fairchild has seen in a while, and their hard work is being recognized. They were recently named the winners of the American Association of Airport Executives’ Balchen/Post Award for their outstanding performance in snow removal during the 2016 season.

The award recognizes airports and military installations on a national level for their efforts in keeping airfields operationally safe at all times. Fairchild has won the award seven times and has been honorably mentioned three times.

Throughout the winter season, the 92nd CES pavement and construction shop is found removing snow and standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Without the team safely and efficiently removing the snow, jets are unable to get off the ground, which puts Fairchild’s global reach mission on hold, said Airman 1st Class Manuel Rivera Matos, 92nd CES pavement and construction journeyman.

“In times of need, we do not stop for extreme heat, high winds or intense blizzards,” Lowe said. “We can be called on at the drop of a dime to respond to fix impaired airfield pavements, vacate runway debris, remove snow from the airfield, eliminate storm damage and repair busted water lines.”